Last week's spasms surprised him, but they did not keep him out for too long. They also have done nothing to put a damper on his fall camp performance, which propelled him to a tie atop the depth chart, with sophomore Thomas Herring and senior Drew Radovich.

However, Brown consistently has taken the first turn with the first team during practice drills. Coach Pete Carroll was not divulging much Tuesday when he said, "if we played today, Charles Brown would start at right tackle."

Said right guard Chilo Rachal, who lines up alongside Brown, "A lot of people knew what he could do, but now that they're really seeing what he can do, they're more comfortable with him."

Brown said he entered camp thinking he might have a chance to start, simply because the Trojans preach competition. But Radovich's back injury served as the greater catalyst, as it thrust Brown onto the first team.